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Big Sky Country State Fair

Five days of endless things to do —

here's how to make the most of it.

The 2026 Big Sky Country State Fair runs July 15th-19th at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in Bozeman, MT. Gates are open 11am-11pm Wednesday through Saturday, and 11am-6pm on Sunday.

The carnival opens daily at 1pm (and a little earlier on Sunday at 10:30am) — so if rides are on the agenda, plan to arrive after lunch on weekdays.

Heading to a concert? Shows have their own schedule and ticketing — check out the Concerts page for lineups, showtimes, and everything you need to know before the music starts.

Getting here is easy — and parking is always free!

Enter from Oak Street at the East Oak entrance (near the baseball stadium). From there you can park in either of our two lots:

  • Oak Lot → enter from Oak Street → walk to B Gate
  • Tamarack Lot → continue on to Tamarack Street → walk to A Gate

Both lots fill up fast on busy days, so arriving early is always a good idea. ADA parking is available in both lots, close to each gate.

Not sure where to go once you’re inside? Check out the fair map to get your bearings before you arrive.

Tickets are available online or at the gate — but we recommend buying ahead to skip the line! Just note that all prices increase to gate price at midnight on Tuesday, July 14th, so buying early saves you a few bucks too.

 Online Price
Adult$12
Youth (Ages 6–12)$5
Senior (62+)$8
Children 5 & underFREE

Your general admission ticket includes:

  • Big Sky Plaza & acts
  • Treasure State Stage & acts
  • Haynes Pavilion & Education Exhibits
  • Competitive Exhibits
  • 4-H Area & Petting Zoo
  • Access to the Biergarten (see the Biergarten schedule)

Priced separately:

  • Carnival rides
  • Bozeman Roundup Ranch Rodeo
  • Concerts
  • Food & drinks
  • Vendor booth purchases

Buy Tickets Now →

Most vendors and food booths accept both card and cash — so bring whatever you prefer. There are also multiple ATMs located on the fairgrounds if you need cash on the go.

Most vendors and food booths accept both card and cash — so bring whatever you prefer. There are also multiple ATMs located on the fairgrounds if you need cash on the go.

Carnival rides use a separate ticketing system through Carnival Midway Attractions. You have two options:

Unlimited Ride Wristband The best value if you’re planning a full day on the rides. Buy early and save!

  • Pre-sale (ends July 15 at noon): $38
  • Online during the event or at the gate: $43

Credit Packages A good option for families who want flexibility — credits can be shared between people, and most rides take 4–6 credits each.

CreditsPrice
8 credits$10
18 credits$20
28 credits$30
38 credits$40
58 credits$60
78 credits$80

Already have a credit band? You can reload credits for $1 each with no extra fee.

A few things to know:

  • Unlimited wristbands cannot be shared; credit packages can
  • Height restrictions apply — minimum 36″ for most rides; check each ride for posted restrictions
  • Unlimited wristbands may stop 30 minutes before closing
  • No refunds

Buy Carnival Tickets in Advance

Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast

Before you pack your bag, take a quick look at our full list of allowed and prohibited items so you’re not caught off guard at the gate. Here are a few things we recommend bringing:

  • 👟 Comfortable shoes — you’ll be on your feet all day
  • 🧴 Sunscreen — July in Montana means plenty of sunshine
  • 🧥 A light layer — Bozeman evenings can cool off fast, especially if you’re staying for a concert
  • 💧 Reusable water bottle — water refill stations are available on the fairgrounds
  • 🔋 Portable phone charger — long days drain batteries fast
  • 👶 Stroller or wagon — a lifesaver for families with little ones
  • 🔇 Ear protection for kids — concerts and the rodeo can get loud
  • 💵 Some cash — most vendors accept card, but it never hurts to have a little on hand
  • 🪪 ID — required for Biergarten access